Invisalign delivery instructions
Wear your aligners all the time except when eating or brushing your teeth
You will wear your aligners for approximately 20 to 22 hours per day, removing them only to eat, brush and floss. It is important to avoid leaving aligners out of the mouth for more than 30 minutes, especially during the first 72 hours of each new aligner. For optimal results, start each new aligner after an early dinner and don’t remove it until breakfast the following morning, keeping the aligners in for a minimum of 12 hours.
Wear each aligner for one week and switch into your new aligner at night after dinner, following the dates on your Invisalign bag as provided by Toothbar. To help avoid confusion, each aligner is engraved with your unique case number, a “U” for upper and an “L” for lower, followed by the stage number.
Use the provided Munchie as directed (morning, early afternoon and evening is ideal) for at least 3 minutes at a time, spending more time on any area where the aligner isn’t seating fully. Rinse it under warm water for 10 seconds prior to use.
Getting new sets of aligners
You’ll see us every couple of weeks to give you new aligners and check up on how everything is tracking.
For optimal results, small tooth-colored attachments may be bonded to one or more teeth during the course of treatment. Please keep an eye on how your aligners are tracking with the attachments on your teeth. The doctors will remove these attachments at the appropriate time, usually at the end of treatment.
In some cases, teeth may require minor slenderizing (interproximal reduction) to create space for tooth movement.
Each aligner is designed to guide your teeth to a more ideal position. Please keep an eye on how your aligners are tracking, and make sure there are no large gaps between your teeth and the tray before you switch to your new set of aligners.
Cleaning your aligners
We recommend removing your aligners for eating and drinking, and brushing and flossing after each meal before reinserting them.
Clean your aligners before each insertion. Use a soft-bristle toothbrush with water and a small amount of toothpaste. You may find it easiest to clean the outside of your aligners by brushing them while they are still on your teeth, then remove your aligners to clean the inside surfaces. Be sure to rinse each aligner thoroughly with water after each cleaning. We also recommend using the Invisalign or clear aligner cleaning products once a week.
One aligner case is included in your starter kit. Store your aligners in the case whenever they’re not in your mouth: they tend to get thrown away when wrapped in a napkin.
Using your Munchies
- With the aligner in place, put your top teeth into the bigger groove on the Munchie and bite your lower teeth against it. Bite on all your front teeth for about 20 seconds each.
- With the aligner in place, put your bottom teeth into the smaller groove on the Munchie and bite your top teeth against it. Bite on all your front teeth for about 20 seconds each.
- With the aligner in place, place the Munchie between your upper and lower back teeth on one side of your mouth and bite up and down for 30 seconds. You will feel the aligner fit far better. Repeat on the other side of your mouth.
- Repeat this process each time you re-insert your aligners.
Common questions
Feel free to call or text us with any concerns.
Will the treatment be painful?
Most people experience tooth soreness for a few days after starting each new tray. This is normal: it is a sign that the aligners are working, moving your teeth to their planned position. The soreness should gradually go away a couple of days after inserting the new aligner in the series.
Will wearing the aligners affect my speech?
Like all orthodontic treatments, the aligners may temporarily affect your speech, and you may have a slight lisp for a day or so. As your tongue gets used to having aligners in your mouth, any lisp or minor speech impediment caused by your aligners should disappear. We recommend reading the Invisalign pamphlet aloud.
What should I do if my new aligner doesn’t snap onto my teeth?
Minor discrepancies between the new aligner and the current tooth position are normal, since the teeth need time to conform to the new aligner position. Remember to use the provided Munchie. In the event of significant problems with the aligner fit, tell your doctor.
Is it OK to drink hot or cold beverages while wearing the aligners?
Yes, it is OK to drink hot and cold beverages while wearing your trays. Please be aware that this may stain your trays.
Any food or drinks to avoid while wearing the trays?
Dark-colored foods and drinks can stain your trays. Try to avoid anything with turmeric, as it will stain them yellow. If you consume anything sugary, try to rinse your teeth and trays before putting them back on.
What if I’m unable to wear a tray 20 to 22 hours that week?
If you foresee not being able to wear your trays for the recommended 20 to 22 hours because of an event or upcoming trip, let us know and we can label your trays accordingly.
Why do some of my aligners have bumps or ridges on them?
Depending on your specific treatment, some movements may require “attachments” or “ridges” to help the aligner grip the teeth. The bumps, or wells, are where the aligner grips the attachment that the doctor places on your teeth. The attachments are small pieces of composite fixed to your teeth and gripped by the bumps on your aligners. The ridges are slim indentations in your aligners. Your doctor will use one or both of these features to achieve the desired movement.
What if I lose or break an aligner?
If an aligner is lost or broken, call our office right away. Your doctor will probably tell you to start wearing your last set or next set of aligners immediately while we order you a replacement tray.
What if an attachment comes off?
If an attachment is lost or broken, call our office.